2016 U.S. OPEN WOMEN'S HANDICAP

Nov 08, 2016

1983 U.S. Open Women's Handicap Winners: Willow Bend - Oatsy Baker, Vickie Armour, Stacey Galindo (née Leary), Susan Welker, pictured with John Beck and Larry Milam.

The U.S. Open Women’s Handicap at the Houston Polo Club in Houston, Texas, will begin this Wednesday, November 9, concluding after three days of competition with a final match on Saturday, November 12. A record six teams will be competing for the United States Polo Association’s oldest national women’s trophy.

The U.S. Open Women’s Handicap tournament was established in 1979 to showcase women’s polo, following the inclusion of women into the United States Polo Association in 1972. The inaugural tournament was held at Carmel Valley Polo Club in Carmel, California. An excerpt from the 1980 USPA Bluebook describes the results, “The Women’s U.S. Handicap, sponsored by the USPA, was won by Carmel Valley. Representatives from five states played on four teams entered. Sunset [Sunny] Hale (age 10), Susie Welker, Sue Sally Hale and Stormie Hale were the champions beating Modesto, Jan Walker, Oatsie Von Gontard, Susan Walton and Bonni Middleton 4 to 1. Top scoring, Sue Sally Hale—nine for both days.”

1990 U.S. Open Women's Handicap Victors: American Airlines - Kim Kelly, Maggie Mitchell, Tammy McCutchin, Margaret Holland, pictured with Greg Powers and Phil Clark of American Airlines.

A staple in the USPA calendar, the U.S. Open Women’s Handicap was played for 15 consecutive years, primarily at Willow Bend Polo Club in Plano, Texas. During this time American Airlines dominated the competition with a remarkable five-year winning streak (1988-1992), key players Maggie Mitchell and Kim Kelly together formed part of each winning team. The tournament then took residence at The Villages Polo Club in The Villages, Florida, throughout the late 90s and early 2000s. During seven years of competition Jolie Liston (La Mariposa USA - 2016 U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship®) garnered four U.S. Open Women’s Handicap titles. Many of the world’s top women’s players have captured this illustrious title, including Vickie Armour, Alina Carta, Cindy Halle, Carolyn Stimmel, Lesley-Ann Masterton and Oatsy von Gontard.

2015 U.S. Open Women's Handicap Champions: Freccianera - Sheila Lequerica with son Joe Bob, Brook Diesel, Lia Salvo, Rebecca Clark, pictured with Freccianera sponsor Gianmario Travella and son. Photo courtesy of Kaylee Wroe.

From 2003 to 2014 the U.S. Open Women’s Handicap fell into abeyance. It was revived in 2015 with the reemergence of the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship®; this will be the second year that the U.S. Open Women’s Handicap has been played simultaneously with the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship® at Houston Polo Club. Last year’s champions Freccionera (Brooks Diesel, Rebecca Clark, Lia Salvo, Sheila Lequerica) narrowly defeated Pescatore 9-8.

The draw was announced on Sunday, November 6, and opening round matches are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, November 9. The final is set to be played on Saturday, November 12, at the Houston Polo Club (earlier matches will be played on a number of private fields). For more information, visit www.houstonpoloclub.com and check the Houston Polo Blog for an up-to-date schedule with field assignments.

6-goaler Erica Gandomcar Sachs will once again be playing for Bearsden in 2016. Photo courtesy of Kaylee Wroe.

BRACKETS

Bracket 1
A. Jet Linx
B. St. Regis
C. Herk's Store & Grill

Bracket 2
D. Bearsden
E. Ker & Downey
F. My Table / Riveroaks.com

SCHEDULE

Wednesday, November 9
4:00pm ET - Jet Linx vs. St. Regis
5:00pm ET - Herk's Store & Grill vs. Bearsden
5:00pm ET - Ker & Downey vs. My Table / Riveroaks.com

Friday, November 11
Semis
Semis
Consolation

Saturday, November 12
Finals
Consolation Finals

2015 U.S. Open Women's Handicap action. Hendrick's Gin's KC Krueger goes for the hook on Kristy Outhier of Santa Rosa/Ocean Mist. Photo Courtesy of Kaylee Wroe.

TEAMS AND ROSTERS

Bearsden (14)
Carol Farnsworth 2
Tiamo Hudspeth 4
Beverly Greenwood 2
Erica Gandomcar-Sachs 6

Herk's Store & Grill (14)
Wendy Stover 3
Hazel Jackson 8
Susan Wise 0
Tiffany Orthwein 3

Jet Linx (14)
Carin Middleton 4
Sheila Lequerica 4
Jana Conkwright 0
Claire Brougham 6

Ker & Downey (14)
Elle Seybold 0
Clara Cassino Seppe 6T
Kristine Dalton 5
Megan Flynn 3

St. Regis (13)
Maria Hartley 1
Sarah Prinsloo 3
Kristy Outhier 8
Mimi Shirey 1

My Table / Riveroaks.com (14)
Grace Mudra 0
Carolyn Stimmel 4
Lia Salvo 8
Courtney Price 2